Of course there are many, many Sound of Music tours around Salzburg, Austria.  But if you don’t like being on someone else’s schedule – and I know I don’t – you can do it yourself!

The Movie's "Von Trapp Mansion" Photo Copyright © Benn Newman,

Like any movie, much of The Sound of Music was shot on an LA sound stage.  Many of the locations really do exist around Salzburg, though they may have more to do with the real life of the Von Trapp family than with the movie.   Read More »

As the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, Auckland’s 1076-foot high (328 metre) Sky Tower is the quintessential high altitude attraction. Its three circular public observation levels – Sky Deck, Main Observation level, and Sky Lounge – each provide a unique 360-degree view of Auckland.

A base jumper flies toward the ground at 75 kph.

The 597-foot high Sky Lounge, where visitors can enjoy coffee, cocktails, or a light lunch, is the highest cafe in the Southern Hemisphere. A bit higher at 610 feet above ground level, the Main Observation level offers spectacular views, in literally all directions. Looking straight ahead through the curved plate glass windows provides sweeping vistas over the city and across the harbor to the ocean. But looking down provides quite Read More »

Lately, I have had the great pleasure of enjoying a few stage productions on and off Broadway with my kids. Though truly, the list seems never ending with the amount of shows to see in NYC, when it comes to taking your kids, well, sometimes the list gets a little shorter.

Here are some productions I have seen as of late that you might want to consider taking your kids to if you’re in town.

Finian’s Rainbow at St. James Theater through January 3, 2010

A beautiful revival of the 1947 production, with music and performances that bring back the nostalgic days of theater. I was able to attend this show with my 12 year old and his friend. A feel-good show about about a lebrechaun, Irish immigrants, and a racist senator, it is comical, romantic, and political satire all at once. I really enjoyed it and so did my boys.

In The Heights, ongoing at Richard Rodgers Theater

I have a personal connection with this one.  It’s a story that takes place in my neighborhood of Washington Heights, NY. This winner of 4 Tony Awards is that of a vibrant community in the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

It made me both laugh and cry, the music telling the stories of a people near and dear to my heart. It might even encourage you to venture further uptown in Manhattan and enjoy a little ‘cafecito‘. Also note, High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu will join the case on January 25th.

Fuerza Bruta at The Daryl Roth Theater in Union Square through March 28, 2010

From the creators of the smash-hit De La Guarda, Fuerza Bruta is more of an event, than a performance. Amazing visuals, stunts, and sounds, this is truly a fun show to take your pre-teen and up. Dancers, performers, acrobats, this standing room only event is energy inducing. Watch where you stand, or you might get wet!

Groovaloo at Union Square Theater through January 3

This show brings together the magic of hip hop and free style onto one stage. The inspirational story of the dancers involved, where they came from, their dreams, fears, and success, narrated both in voice, song, but most importantly dance. A truly amazing show!

And though the above productions are best for older kids, you need not worry that the younger ones have to miss out (or you because of them).

My absolute favorite theater venue for families with little ones is located right on 42nd St. The New Victory Theater currently has ongoing performances that appeal to both the adult and child (small, tween, or teen) in your family. Check out their website for listings. This theater has it all, from lockers and space for stroller parking, to large spaces for little ones needing to take a break from it all.  I recently saw a performance of Peter and The Wolf with my 4 year old, who absolutely loved the experience.

There are so many more shows to see of course, and this is quite a short list.  But if you are planning to be in town from now through the New Year and are wondering what shows would be great to see with your family, or where, these is my short recommendation list.

Enjoy!

Photo credit: Carol Cain

Seeing these pictures of Amsterdam would make most anyone dream of visiting The Netherlands.  While the beauty in these photos speaks for itself, all of these photographers, who have licensed their work under Creative Commons, have also taken care to describe the photos.    Thus, the choice is yours: enjoy these photos of Amsterdam on their own, or click through to read the photographers’ comments on the photos’ Flickr pages.

And now, I present . . . Amsterdam in Photos:

Amsterdam. Photo by Bert K on flickr.

Cycling in Amsterdam. Photo by earcos on flickr.

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